Ancillary Device for an Open Refrigerated Display Case

ABSTRACT

An ancillary device for attachment to a shelf of an open refrigerated display case, the device comprising: a flow controlling module comprising an elongate element; and a plurality of brackets each bracket comprising a clamp portion for clamping the device to the shelf and an arm portion extending from the clamp portion to the flow controlling module; wherein the clamp portion comprises an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member which opposes the upper jaw member; wherein the clamp portion has an open configuration in which the upper and lower jaw members are spaced a first distance from one another so as to allow the upper and lower jaw members to be received over a portion of the shelf and wherein the clamp portion has a closed configuration in which the upper and lower jaw members are spaced a second distance from one another which is smaller than the first distance so as to clamp the upper and lower jaw members against the portion of the shelf; wherein the upper and lower jaw members are movable relative to one another between the open and closed configurations.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an ancillary device for attachment to a shelf of an open refrigerated display case, as well as an open refrigerated display case itself.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The display of chilled or frozen items is commonplace in many retail environments, most notably in supermarkets. Conventionally, such items have been displayed in refrigerated display cases having glass doors to allow customers to browse items before opening the doors to access the items. However, the presence of such doors has been seen as problematic in that they make it difficult for several customers to access the contents of the case, as well as providing an obstruction when open, narrowing the usable aisle space.

It is therefore common for supermarkets to use open-fronted display cases (Open Refrigerated Display Cases; herein “ORDCs”). ORDCs utilize an air curtain which is cooled to below ambient temperature and propelled downward, across the open front of the display case. The air curtain separates the refrigerated interior of the display case from the ambient air surrounding the display case. The air curtain thus keeps the cool air inside the display case from spilling out due to buoyancy effects, and also provides a barrier from other external motions of air around the display case. ORDCs therefore do not need any physical barrier separating customers from the contents of the display case. Accordingly, ORDCs provide a desirable method of displaying food and other perishable goods as they allow both easy access and clear visibility of merchandise.

However, as a direct consequence of their open design, ORDCs do have significantly higher energy consumption compared to the closed-fronted alternative. The main energy losses occur within the air curtain, and are caused by the entrainment of warm ambient air into the air curtain and the turbulent mixing which occurs within the air curtain itself. The entrainment of warm ambient air causes an increase in temperature within the air curtain, and this warmer air must be cooled as it re-circulates through the system. It has been estimated that 70% to 80% of the cooling load of an ORDC is due to such effects.

In recent years, multi-decked designs have become commonplace to maximize the display space per unit of floor space. Consequently, the air curtains of such ORDCs must seal a larger display area. This has exacerbated entrainment issues and the resulting energy losses, as well as making the design of air curtains more challenging, particularly in respect of ensuring product integrity and temperature homogeneity while attempting to minimize their energy consumption.

The invention thus seeks to improve the efficiency of ORDCs by reducing entrainment within the air curtain.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect there is provided an ancillary device for attachment to a shelf of an open refrigerated display case, the device comprising: a flow controlling module comprising an elongate element; and a plurality of brackets, each bracket comprising a clamp portion for clamping the device to the shelf and an arm portion extending from the clamp portion to the flow controlling module; wherein the clamp portion comprises an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member which opposes the upper jaw member; wherein the clamp portion has an open configuration in which the upper and lower jaw members are spaced a first distance from one another so as to allow the upper and lower jaw members to be received over a portion of the shelf and wherein the clamp portion has a closed configuration in which the upper and lower jaw members are spaced a second distance from one another which is smaller than the first distance so as to clamp the upper and lower jaw members against the portion of the shelf; wherein the upper and lower jaw members are movable relative to one another between the open and closed configurations.

The upper and lower jaw members may be hingedly connected to one another.

The arm portion may be bifurcated to form an upper section which carries the upper jaw member and a lower section which carries the lower jaw member.

The upper and/or lower sections may be flexible so as to allow the upper and lower jaw members to be movable relative to one another between the open and closed configurations.

A threaded fastener may extend between the upper and lower jaw members and be configured to draw the upper and lower jaw members towards one another into the closed configuration.

The flow controlling module may comprise inner and outer elongate elements.

The inner and outer elongate elements may be spaced apart from one another by a plurality of spacers. The spacers may be hollow and form sleeves which receive the arm portions of the brackets.

The inner and outer elongate elements may be spaced apart to form a first slot therebetween, with the brackets being configured to attach the flow controlling module to the shelf so as to form a second slot between the inner elongate element and the shelf.

The arm portions may pass through openings formed in the inner elongate element into the sleeves.

A threaded bore may be formed in an end surface of the arm portion and a hole formed through the outer elongate element into the sleeve. A screw may be received within the threaded bore via the hole in the outer elongate element so as to draw and secure the arm portion within the sleeve.

The end surface of the arm portion may abut against a rear surface of the outer elongate element.

The arm portions and sleeves may have complementary profiles.

The arm portions and sleeves may taper along their length.

In accordance with another aspect there is provided an open refrigerated display case comprising: a refrigerated display area; an air outlet and an air inlet opening into the display area and spaced from one another; and a duct fluidically coupling the air inlet to the air outlet, the duct being configured to direct air flow out of the air outlet across the display area and toward the air inlet to form an air curtain across the display area; wherein the display area comprises at least one shelf, the at least one shelf being provided with an ancillary device as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:—

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional open refrigerated display case (ORDC);

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ancillary device attached to a shelf of an open refrigerated display case;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the ancillary device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is perspective view of a bracket of the ancillary device;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is perspective view of an alternative bracket;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an ancillary device comprising the bracket of FIG. 6 attached to a shelf of an open refrigerated display case; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of the ancillary device of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a conventional ORDC 2. The ORDC 2 comprises a cabinet portion formed by a lower wall 4, a back wall 6, an upper wall 8, and left and right side walls (not shown). A lower panel 10, a back panel 12 and an upper panel 14 are disposed within the cabinet portion.

The lower, back and upper panels 10, 12, 14 form a display area 15 which is provided with a plurality of shelves 17 (six are shown) on which items may be displayed. The shelves 17 are affixed to the back panel 12.

As shown, the lower, back and upper panels 10, 12, 14 are spaced from the respective lower, back and upper walls 4, 6, 8 to form a duct 16. An intake grille 18 is provided at the lower panel 10 to form an inlet to the duct 16. Similarly, a discharge grille 20 is provided at the upper panel 14 to form an outlet from the duct 16. The intake grille 18 and the discharge grille 20 are thus fluidically coupled to one another by the duct 16. The intake grille 18 and the discharge grille 20 are spaced from the back panel 12 toward the front of the cabinet portion and ahead of the shelves 17.

A fan 22 and a heat exchanger 24 are located within the duct 16 adjacent to the intake grille 18 and thus are disposed between the lower wall 4 and the lower panel 10. The fan 22 draws air into the duct 16 via the intake grille 18 which then passes through the heat exchanger 24 where it is cooled to well below the ambient temperature.

After passing through the heat exchanger 24, the air continues through the duct 16 between the back wall 6 and the back panel 12. The back panel 12 is perforated allowing air to pass from the duct 16 into the display area 15 where it cools items located on the shelves 17 and on the lower panel 10.

The remaining air flows through the duct 16 to the discharge grille 20. The air is ejected from the discharge grille 20 and descends over the open front of the display area 15 to form an air curtain 26. The air curtain 26 passes from the discharge grille 20 to the intake grille 18, where it is drawn in by the fan 22 and re-circulated through the duct 16. The air curtain 26 thus forms a non-physical barrier which separates the display area 15 from the ambient air surrounding the ORDC 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air curtain 26 may be angled away from vertical by around 5-10°. This may be achieved by angling the discharge grille 20. In particular, the discharge grille 20 may be provided with a honeycomb panel (not shown) which rectifies the air flow as it exits the discharge grille 20 to provide laminar flow. The intake grille 18 is therefore offset from the discharge grille 20 to allow for this.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an ancillary device 102 for attachment to a shelf of an ORDC, such as one of the shelves 17 of the ORDC 2 described previously.

The device 102 generally comprises a flow controlling module 104 and a pair of brackets 106 (only one is shown).

The flow controlling module 104 comprises a pair of elongate elements in the form of beams 108 a, 108 b. The beams 108 a, 108 b are connected by a pair of spacers 110 (only one is shown). The spacers 110 are provided towards the lateral ends of the beams 108 a, 108 b. A central spacer 112 may also be provided at the center of the beams 108 a, 108 b, midway along their lengths.

The beams 108 a, 108 b are spaced apart from one another by the spacers 110 such that upper edges and lower edges of the beams 108 a, 108 b run parallel to one another. The beams 108 a, 108 b are, however, angled relative to one another so that a gap between the beams 108 a, 108 b tapers, with the upper edges of the beams 108 a, 108 b being further apart than the lower edges.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each bracket 106 comprises a first component 136 and a second component 138. The first component 136 comprises an arm portion 120 and an upper jaw member 122 integrally formed with one another. The second component comprises a lower jaw member 124 which opposes the upper jaw member 122. The second component 138 is hingedly connected to the first component 136. Specifically, the second component 138 comprises a pin 126 which is received in a barrel 128 formed in a lower surface of the first component 136 (or vice versa). The pin 126 and barrel 128 form a hinge which allows the second component 138 and thus the lower jaw member 124 to rotate about a pivot point. This action allows the distance between the upper jaw member 122 and the lower jaw member 124 to be adjusted. The bracket 106 is thus able to move between a closed position or configuration where the upper and lower jaw members 122, 124 are relatively close together and an open position or configuration where the upper and lower jaw members 122, 124 are spaced further apart. The upper and lower jaw members 122, 124 may generally be described as a clamp portion of the bracket.

As shown in FIG. 4, a bore 130 extends through the second component 138 at a position which is located between the pin 126 and the lower jaw member 124. The bore 130 is aligned with a bore (not shown) formed in the first component 136. The bore in the first component 136 is threaded and blind. A screw (not shown) or other threaded fastener is passed through the bore 130 and threaded into the opposing bore. The screw draws the lower jaw member 124 towards the upper jaw member 122 and so allows the bracket 106 to be moved between the open and closed configurations. In other arrangements, the bores may be plain bores which receive a nut and bolt.

The spacers 110 are hollow and thus define an internal sleeve which is open at the inner beam 108 b. The arm portion 120 has a profile which corresponds to that of the sleeve defined by the spacers 110. The arm portion 120 is received within the spacer 110 such that it passes through the inner beam 108 b. The sleeve formed by the spacer 110 therefore acts as a socket. The profile of the arm portion 120 and the sleeve may be non-rotationally symmetric such that the arm portion 120 can be inserted in the sleeve in only one orientation. As shown, the arm portion 120 may taper towards its distal end (becoming narrower at the distal end) and the sleeve may have a corresponding taper such that the arm portion 120 is retained within the sleeve through friction. In addition, the outer beam 108 a comprises a pair of holes (not shown) which open into the sleeves formed by the spacers 110. A screw is passed through each of the holes and is received within a threaded bore 150 formed in an end surface of the arm portion 120. The screw thus draws the arm portion 120 fully into the sleeve so the end surface of the arm portion 120 abuts against an inner surface of the outer beam 108 a. Accordingly, the screws prevent the flow controlling module 104 from being removed from the brackets 106. The screws may be countersunk such that they lie flush with an outer surface of the outer beam 108 a.

The device 102 may further comprise a product information strip 152. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the product information strip 152 clips over the upper and lower edges of the outer beam 108 a. The product information strip 152 has a channel for receiving tickets which display information regarding products, such as the product's price.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the device 102 affixed to a shelf of an ORDC, as described previously with respect to FIG. 1, for example. As shown, the shelf comprises a shelf plate 154. The shelf plate 154 defines a planar surface for supporting products within the ORDC. A ticket holder 158 is connected to a front surface of the shelf plate 154. The function of the ticket holder 158 may be superseded by the product information strip 152 of the device 102, but it may be retained for convenience.

As shown, the brackets 106 are connected to the shelf with the ticket holder 158 received between the upper and lower jaw members 122, 124. Specifically, each bracket 106 is provided in the open configuration where the upper and lower jaw members 122, 124 are spaced further from one another (or allowing the second component 138 carrying the lower jaw member 124 to pivot freely). In this configuration, the upper and lower jaw members 122, 124 are sufficiently spaced such that they can pass over the upper and lower edges of the ticket holder 158. The bracket 106 can then be moved into the closed configuration by screwing the screw into the upper jaw member 122 which acts to draw the upper and lower jaw members 122, 124 together, thereby clamping the ticket holder 158 between the upper and lower jaw members 122, 124.

The upper and lower jaw members 122, 124 are profiled to form a hook which acts to retain the bracket 106 on the ticket holder 158. The upper jaw member 122 further comprises a protrusion 132 which is received by a groove 134 formed in the ticket holder 158 to provide further engagement.

In use, the beams 108 a, 108 b define a first slot 160 between the outer and inner beams 108 a, 108 b and a second slot 162 between the inner beam 108 b and the outer surface of the shelf (in this case, the ticket holder 158).

The first slot 160 tapers from an inlet at an upper end to an outlet at a lower end. The inlet has a greater width than the outlet and a convergent throat is disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The beams 108 a, 108 b may taper at an angle of greater than 0° and less than 20° to the vertical. The angle may, however, differ between the two beams 108 a, 108 b within a single device 102. In particular, the outermost beam 108 a may be arranged vertically and the innermost beam 108 b angled relative to the outermost beam 108 a.

The beams 108 a, 108 b are positioned such that the majority of the air curtain 26 passes between the beams 108 a, 108 b, through the first slot 160. A portion of the air curtain 26 may pass between the innermost beam 108 b and the end of the shelf, through the second slot 162, or beyond the exterior surface of the outermost beam 108 a. As described previously, the back panel 12 is perforated to allow air to pass from the duct 16 into the display area 15 where it cools items located on the shelves 17 and on the lower panel 10. The direction of air flow from the back panel 12 is thus predominantly perpendicular to that of the air curtain 26. The air from the back panel 12 is entrained with the portion of the air curtain 26 passing through the second slot 160 which turns the air flow towards the direction of the air curtain 26. This reduces the effect the air flow from the back panel 12 has on the air curtain 26.

The air leaves the discharge grille 20 as a coherent jet. Without any flow stabilization, the jet soon becomes unstable and begins to separate. This causes a high level of turbulent mixing which warms the air curtain 26 considerably, thus warming the ORDC 2.

However, the device 102 provided on the shelf 28 acts to re-stabilize the flow before the air curtain 26 can become unstable. As described previously, the beams 108 a, 108 b converge such that, as a result of the Venturi effect, the air is accelerated as it passes through the first slot 160 of the device 102. The acceleration acts to further stabilize the air curtain 26. The width of the air curtain 26 is also reduced which helps maintain a thin shear layer throughout the length of the air curtain 26. The second slot 162 formed between the innermost beam 108 b and the shelf further promotes stabilization of the air curtain 26 by drawing air from the back panel 12 into the air curtain 26.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an alternative bracket 206 of an ancillary device 202 which utilizes the same flow controlling module 104 described previously. The bracket 206 comprises an arm portion 220. A proximal end section of the arm portion 220 is bifurcated to form an upper section 236 and a lower section 238 which are separated from one another by an open-ended slot 240 which extends along the arm portion 220 in a longitudinal direction. The upper section 236 carries an upper jaw member 222 and the lower section 238 carries a lower jaw member 224 which opposes the upper jaw member 222. The upper and lower jaw members 222, 224 may generally be described as a clamp portion of the bracket.

A bore 242 extends through the upper section 236. A bore 244 is also provided in the lower section 238. The bore 244 is threaded and blind. The bores 242, 244 are aligned with one another (along an axis transecting the slot 240) such that a screw or other threaded fastener may be passed through the bore 242 and threaded into the threaded bore 244. It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the bores 242, 244 could be reversed and that both of the upper and lower sections 236, 238 may comprise threaded bores or plain bores for use with a nut and bolt or the like.

The bracket 206 is formed from a flexible material, such as plastic, which allows the free ends of the upper and lower sections 236, 238 (via flexion of at least one of these sections) to be splayed apart so as to increase the distance between the upper and lower jaw members 222, 224. A stress-relieving hole may be provided at the base of the slot 240 (which effectively forms a pivot point) to reduce material fatigue and increase flexibility. To allow the upper and lower jaw members 222, 224 to be moved into an open position or configuration, the screw is sufficiently loosened or removed entirely. This allows the upper and lower jaw members 222, 224 to be received over the upper and lower edges of the ticket holder 258, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Once in position, the upper and lower sections 236, 238 can be drawn together (to a closed position or configuration) by screwing the screw into the lower section 238 which acts to draw the upper and lower jaw members 222, 224 together, thereby clamping the ticket holder 258 between the upper and lower jaw members 222, 224.

The flow controlling module is preferably a single, unitary element which may be a plastic molding. However, in other arrangements, the module may itself be formed of multiple elements.

Although the flow controlling module has been described as being connected to the shelf by a pair of brackets, additional brackets may be provided.

It will be appreciated that the flow controlling module may differ from that described above. For example, the flow controlling module may have only a single beam or may be formed by a honeycomb panel which defines a matrix of open hexagonal cells (or other cellular structures) extending in the direction of the air curtain 26. The flow controlling module also may extend only partially across the width of the shelf 28 and display area 15.

References to “flow controlling module/portion/device” should therefore be interpreted broadly to encompass any element which sits within or adjacent to the path of the air curtain and which is intended to improve the quality or performance of the air curtain by guiding, directing or otherwise causing the airflow within the air curtain to change trajectory.

It will be appreciated that the function of the brackets described above may also be beneficial in arrangements in which the brackets and flow controlling module are integrally formed or connected in some other manner (i.e. not using a socket which receives the arm portion).

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and may be modified or adapted without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. An ancillary device for attachment to a shelf of an open refrigerated display case, the device comprising: a flow controlling module including an elongate element; and a plurality of brackets, each bracket including a clamp portion for clamping the device to the shelf and an arm portion extending from the clamp portion to the flow controlling module; wherein the clamp portion includes an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member which opposes the upper jaw member; wherein the clamp portion has an open configuration in which the upper and lower jaw members are spaced a first distance from one another so as to allow the upper and lower jaw members to be received over a portion of the shelf and wherein the clamp portion has a closed configuration in which the upper and lower jaw members are spaced a second distance from one another which is smaller than the first distance so as to clamp the upper and lower jaw members against the portion of the shelf; wherein the upper and lower jaw members are movable relative to one another between the open and closed configurations.
 2. An ancillary device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper and lower jaw members are hingedly connected to one another.
 3. An ancillary device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arm portion is bifurcated to form an upper section which carries the upper jaw member and a lower section which carries the lower jaw member.
 4. An ancillary device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the upper and/or lower sections are flexible so as to allow the upper and lower jaw members to be movable relative to one another between the open and closed configurations.
 5. An ancillary device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a threaded fastener extends between the upper and lower jaw members and is configured to draw the upper and lower jaw members towards one another into the closed configuration.
 6. An ancillary device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow controlling module includes inner and outer elongate elements.
 7. An ancillary device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inner and outer elongate elements are spaced apart from one another by a plurality of spacers, wherein the spacers are hollow and form sleeves which receive the arm portions of the brackets.
 8. An ancillary device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inner and outer elongate elements are spaced apart to form a first slot therebetween and the brackets are configured to attach the flow controlling module to the shelf so as to form a second slot between the inner elongate element and the shelf.
 9. An ancillary device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the arm portions pass through openings formed in the inner elongate element into the sleeves.
 10. An ancillary device as claimed in claim 7, wherein a threaded bore is formed in an end surface of the arm portion and a hole is formed through the outer elongate element into the sleeve; wherein a screw is received within the threaded bore via the hole in the outer elongate element so as to draw and secure the arm portion within the sleeve.
 11. An ancillary device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the end surface of the arm portion abuts against a rear surface of the outer elongate element.
 12. An ancillary device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the arm portions and sleeves have complementary profiles.
 13. An ancillary device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the arm portions and sleeves taper along their length.
 14. An open refrigerated display case, comprising: a refrigerated display area; an air outlet and an air inlet opening into the display area and spaced from one another; and a duct fluidically coupling the air inlet to the air outlet, the duct being configured to direct air flow out of the air outlet across the display area and toward the air inlet to form an air curtain across the display area; wherein the display area includes at least one shelf, the at least one shelf being provided with an ancillary device as claimed in claim
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